Swifts new driver cameras are a complete piece of crap.

Cameras are NOT mandated by the insurance companies; it’s mandated by the policy the trucking company chooses. Don’t want cameras? It costs more. Don’t want a governed truck? It costs more. Do you want to hire minimally experienced drivers? It costs more…….

 

Cameras are the future of trucking like it or not. Don't want a camera? Then go work for farmer bob and drive his million mile rust bucket for minimum wage.

 

Down is easier than up.

 

Well, I beg to differ, AI tells me, insurance companies STRONGLY endorse , and sometimes even require driver facing cameras. Studies show, with cameras, incidents are down 10 to 45% and that can't be ignored. Many times reducing premiums 10-20% for a fleet. Don't feel too bad, cameras are already in rental cars and who knows where else, so you aren't alone.
I do agree, however, there's no sense complaining about it, it's here to stay, and I bet even Farmer Brown will have to comply someday.

 

I agree with the reviews on forward facing cameras but I am against driver facing cameras. If a company has interviewed, road tested and hired a driver based on gut opinions, actual questions, trainer reviews and performance there is no reason to be having a driver subject to cameras in their face. Just my personal opinion and in my 44 year career I was never subject to cameras and I compiled over 3 million accident and incident free miles.

 

Why are you wanting to run red lights??

 

If there are valid reasons for driver facing camera's, such as following too close tickets, running light's tickets, etc, then install them in the offenders truck. Not everyone in the fleet, because of a few.

 

The problem is these companies these days want to punish the whole class instead of calling out the one or two!
God forbid we offend somebody for calling one or two of them out.

 

I can’t help what AI says, it’s not always correct. Rates are based on how much nanny crap the trucks have, replacement costs, their governed speed, driver minimum experience requirements, safety scores, among other things. When the safety guy tried cramming the BS line “The insurance company requires….”, I quickly corrected him. He conceded and admitted it was things our carrier considered; not required. Dude wasn’t even born, when I started driving a truck.

 

On a per-driver basis it is not cost effective to use only a few cameras for a few drivers. There is lower cost per driver with more in the pool, and more chance of catching drivers doing things really bad that would not show up until that really bad accident.

The real issue is one of balance. Calling someone out because of going 57 in a 55 zone? Really?
And probably when the video shows most traffic going 60-65 and passing the truck.